After examining the pills, Zhang Qianfeng discovered a jade box with a seal. He first opened the letter sent by the shopkeeper, which provided a detailed account of their negotiations with Gu Yao and emphasized a specific matter entrusted to him by Gu Yao. The exact details were enclosed within the jade slip inside the jade box.
Zhang Qianfeng was quite curious, wondering what task Gu Yao and the other three had entrusted to him. It shouldn't be a request for help against the Changxian Sect. In fact, at this moment, he and the four of them were on the same side, having developed a certain level of understanding among themselves. So, besides that, what else could it be?
Using his spiritual power, Zhang Qianfeng broke the seal on the jade box. Qi Steward and Liu Steward also looked curiously at the jade slip inside. Zhang Qianfeng picked up the jade slip and used his spiritual consciousness to examine its contents. It was brief, containing just an image and a request for him to keep an eye on the whereabouts of the person depicted in the image. Gu Yao also expressed hope that the matter would be kept confidential.
Zhang Qianfeng could immediately see some resemblance between the person in the image and Gu Yao's features. However, the similarity was not to the current Dan Master Yao, but rather to the image he had seen on the wanted poster issued by the Changxian Sect. Due to differences in age and overall aura, it wouldn't be easy to make the connection unless specifically comparing the two. Could this person be Gu Yao's blood relative?
"Take a look as well and let me know if you discover anything," Zhang Qianfeng handed the jade slip to Qi Steward and Liu Steward. Being astute individuals, Zhang Qianfeng didn't need to think much to understand why Gu Yao brought up this matter at this moment. When they left Baihe City, he didn't mention it, but it was evident that he recognized the significance of the Commerce Alliance.
"Oh, so this person is related to Dan Master Yao?"
"Does this mean Dan Master Yao came to us to search for his relative?"
Zhang Qianfeng folded his hands together and placed them on the table. He said, "We don't need to concern ourselves with the exact relationship between this person and Dan Master Yao. Our task is to discreetly assist Dan Master Yao in searching for information about this person. It would be even better if we can find out their whereabouts. Do any of you have any impression of this person?"
Both Qi Steward and Liu Steward shook their heads. They had encountered too many cultivators in their practice, and it would be highly unlikely to recognize a person just by their face unless they were exceptionally outstanding or had caused a significant stir in the continent.
Zhang Qianfeng himself didn't have much impression and waved his hand, saying, "Take your time to investigate. Perhaps we can start by checking with the Changxian Sect."
Both Qi Steward and Liu Steward agreed in unison. At that moment, someone came to report a matter within the Commerce Alliance, "Elder Zhang, the Silver Moon Commercial House in the western region wants to join our Commerce Alliance. However, they have a condition and wish to have a private conversation with Elder Zhang. The Alliance Leader mentioned that the inclusion of the Silver Moon Commercial House would be of great significance to the Commerce Alliance and hopes that you can persuade them to stay."
The Silver Moon Commercial House was a business establishment set up by the demonic cultivators themselves, conducting most of their business within the demonic cultivation realm but also engaging with human cultivators. In the western region, although there were human-backed commercial establishments, they mostly operated on the outskirts and couldn't penetrate deep into the area. Overall, the dominance still belonged to the demonic cultivation forces.
If the Silver Moon Commercial House were to truly join the Commerce Alliance, it would indeed hold great significance. Not only would it bring the demonic cultivation forces into the alliance, but there were also many rare spiritual materials within the realms of the demonic cultivators that were scarce outside.
Hearing this matter, Zhang Qianfeng immediately put aside what he was working on and stood up, saying, "Alright, I will personally go and visit them. I will inform the Alliance Leader that I will do my best. As an elder of the Commerce Alliance, I naturally hope for its continuous growth."
"I will escort Elder Zhang to the place where the representative of the Silver Moon Commercial House is staying," said the subordinate.
Zhang Qianfeng left Qi Steward and Liu Steward behind and headed to the headquarters of the Commerce Alliance. A new city had already been established there. Although it was just starting out, one could imagine its future prosperity would not be inferior to Baihe City. Moreover, besides gathering various merchants, it would also become a gathering place for many independent cultivators.
Zhang Qianzhi, accompanied by the incoming visitor, arrived at the guest courtyard where the Commerce Alliance hosted esteemed guests. In one of the courtyards, he met the representative of the Silver Moon Commercial House, a demonic cultivator with silvery hair. It was said that the Silver Moon Commercial House was founded by members of the Silver Wolf clan, a group of demonic cultivators. Although they had absorbed other demonic cultivators, those from the Silver Wolf clan still held the majority.
The Silver Wolf clan was said to have the bloodline of the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf, an ancient divine beast known for its unparalleled strength. If one could awaken even a little of the bloodline of the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf and gain innate abilities, the power of the Silver Wolf demonic cultivators would increase twofold.
However, the Silver Wolf clan seemed to have limited interaction with human cultivators. Zhang Qianzhi was also curious about what matter could make a Silver Wolf demonic cultivator specifically approach him. He had a guess in his mind because it was something many people had tried to inquire about after he achieved the Nascent Soul stage - the origin of the Extending Limb Pill he had used. He had previously deceived them by claiming to have obtained it from a secret realm.
"Elder Zhang, I am Yinxī," the silver-haired male cultivator greeted Zhang Qianzhi, and his icy eyes looked over. Ordinary cultivators would undoubtedly feel immense pressure upon seeing him, but Zhang Qianzhi, being an Nascent Soul cultivator, regarded him calmly.
"So, you're the major steward of the Silver Moon Commercial House," Zhang Qianzhi increasingly felt that the other party's aim was indeed the Extending Limb Pill; otherwise, the major steward would not have come in person. The major steward was also a Nascent Soul cultivator, and if they were to fight, Zhang Qianzhi knew he wouldn't be a match. "May I ask what brings the major steward to look for me?"
Yinxī gestured for Zhang Qianfeng to sit down, and neither the Commerce Alliance personnel nor the members of the Silver Moon Commercial House followed them. It was just the two of them having a private conversation.
Yinxī straightforwardly said, "As long as Elder Zhang agrees to one thing, the Silver Moon Commercial House will immediately join the Commerce Alliance."
Zhang Qianfeng furrowed his brows and replied, "I will do my best."
Shaking his head, Yinxī continued, "This matter is very simple for Elder Zhang. We simply want to know where Elder Zhang obtained the Extending Limb Pill, the type that you personally consumed. We need the Extending Limb Pill, and specifically the one you took."
Zhang Qianfeng was slightly taken aback. Was there something different about it? For the Silver Moon Commercial House, obtaining the Extending Limb Pill shouldn't be a problem if they were willing to pay some price.
The territory of the Silver Wolf clan was vast, with many exclusive resources and spiritual materials. It was often difficult for human cultivators to obtain them from the Silver Wolf clan. There would surely be people who would be willing to exchange something for the Extending Limb Pill.
Could it be that the Silver Wolf clan suspected that he had consumed a top-grade Extending Limb Pill?
Yinxī looked directly at Zhang Qianzhi and said, "Because ordinary Extending Limb Pills would not allow Elder Zhang to recover to the level you are currently at. If Elder Zhang had consumed a low-grade or even a medium-grade Extending Limb Pill, it would not have been possible to undergo the Nascent Soul Tribulation so quickly. It can only be said that the grade of the Extending Limb Pill Elder Zhang obtained is extraordinary, and its efficacy is naturally vastly different."
Indeed, he had been careless!
At that time, he had only been thinking about condensing his Nascent Soul as soon as possible to alleviate the pressure on Baihe City. Furthermore, he had not consumed any other Extending Limb Pills, so he had no knowledge of their effectiveness. Even Gu Yao might not have been aware of such a significant difference. It was evident that Yinxī had firsthand experience.
Zhang Qianzhi couldn't help but chuckle and said, "But how can the major steward be certain that I can still obtain a second Extending Limb Pill of such good quality?"
This time, it was Yinxī who furrowed his brows. Zhang Qianzhi felt quite satisfied upon seeing that. He couldn't be the only one troubled by this.
Yinxī glanced suspiciously at Zhang Qianzhi and called out, "Hú Méng, come here and explain."
Zhang Qianzhi looked on with a faint smile. Hú Méng, just by hearing the name, one could tell that he was from the Fox Clan. He was undoubtedly Yinxī's advisor. If it were Yinxī himself, he would likely be more inclined to use his fists to resolve the situation.
A handsome man dressed in a white robe with golden trim approached, waving a feather fan. The whole person exuded an air of elegance, but combined with the smile on his face, he seemed... flamboyant. Zhang Qianzhi silently added two more words in his mind.
The flamboyant man walked closer, tucking his fan behind his waist, and greeted with clasped fists, "Hú Méng has long heard of Elder Zhang's esteemed name and finally gets to meet you today." Zhang Qianzhi bowed in return and replied, "I've also long heard of Friend Hú's name. It's my pleasure to meet you."
Yinxī looked displeasedly at Hú Méng. What's the point of all this unnecessary talk when there's business to discuss?
Hú Méng put away his fan and sat down, laughing at Yinxī's reaction. "Elder Zhang, our Silver Moon Business Association is determined to obtain top-quality Extending Limb Pills. We're willing to pay any price. Elder Zhang, perhaps you should consider it."
Zhang Qianzhi smiled faintly. "Any price? What if it means destroying the Changxian Sect?"
As long as someone with the surname Huo continued to hold the position of sect leader in the Changxian Sect, there would be no room for resolution between their two sides.
Hú Méng blinked. "Are you saying that Elder Zhang wants to challenge the great war between humans and demons? It's been a while since we had a battle that swept across the entire Qianhao Continent. It should be quite interesting."
Zhang Qianzhi chuckled. "Consider my words as nonsense. I don't want to become a notorious figure for eternity." He certainly didn't want to bear such great karmic consequences.
Hú Méng smiled. "So, it is still possible to obtain the Extending Limb Pill, isn't it?"
Zhang Qianzhi shook his head, denying, "Those words didn't come from me."
Yinxī's brows furrowed even tighter, and he looked at Zhang Qianzhi with displeasure. It seemed like he had the intention of challenging him to a fight. After all, the demonic race often resolved problems with their fists.
Hú Méng rephrased his question, "So, Elder Zhang, what kind of price do you think we need to pay in order to obtain the Extending Limb Pill?"
Zhang Qianzhi knew that the other party had already assumed he could obtain another Extending Limb Pill. If it were another time, he might have declined outright. However, this time, Gu Yao had a request, and if they could help Gu Yao with his matter, he believed that Gu Yao wouldn't be lacking a pill from them.
So he said, "If you can find a cultivator named Feng Yinhua, perhaps he can help you acquire what you're looking for."
"Feng Yinhua?" Hú Méng repeated the name. "Could he be an alchemist?"
Zhang Qianzhi replied, "I only said that he is related to what you're seeking, so when you search for him, you need to ensure his safety as well."
Hú Méng and Yinxī glanced at each other. This could be a difficult task. The person they needed to find was definitely a human cultivator, and it seemed even Zhang Qianzhi himself couldn't find such a person. So how could their demonic cultivators find him? Demonic cultivators couldn't infiltrate human cultivation forces as deeply as human cultivators themselves, who had well-connected networks for receiving information.
Ensuring safety meant they couldn't openly search for him. The cost of this... it would be better to use real gold and silver to solve it.
But there was some good news. They didn't come here for nothing. At least, from Zhang Qianzhi, they confirmed one thing: he didn't have just one Extending Limb Pill, and there was indeed a way to obtain them.
The matter was not completely settled, but it hadn't fallen apart either. So the members of the Silver Moon Commercial House continued to stay within the Commerce Alliance, which relieved the newly appointed Alliance Lord.